OUR first native mission in this country was established 1,350 miles north of Cape Town. Since that time our missionaries have had their eyes turned toward the interior of Africa rather than to the many tribes and millions of natives farther south. It was not till eighteen months ago that we opened work in the Cape Colony. There are 1,250,000 natives in this colony, which is larger than the great State of Texas. To-day we have one little mission in this vast territory, and we are just beginning work for the people.
The Maranatha Mission is in the south-eastern part of the Colony, twenty-five miles from Grahamstown. From the hilltop above the mission are to be seen the blue waters of the Indian Ocean stretching out to the north and south for many miles. It is a healthful location, as there are none of those deadly fevers that are so common farther up-country. Pineapples, bananas, peaches, oranges, and other fruits are plentiful. The country is better adapted to stock growing than to the raising of grain; but maize, oats, and vegetables grow very well. Ostrich farming is quite common in this section.
There are two tribes, the Kaffir or Amaxosa, and Fingoes, in this part of the Colony. Only a few miles from the mission, and in sight of it is a native location. Their beehive-shaped huts, or houses, if you can call them such, are dotted along the banks of the Fish River; also many families are located on adjoining farms. There are no missions near, and but little is being done for the people except by native evangelists and teachers. We hope to be able to accomplish a good work as the natives seem glad that we have come among them to teach them the Bible.
Elder F. B. Armitage is the superintendent of this mission. He was compelled to leave Matabeleland on account of the health of his little daughter. To his many friends I would say that his address is now Trumpeter's Drift, via Grahamstown, South Africa. The family are now enjoying good health, and are hard at work getting their new mission into running order. As helpers he has a young lady teacher, a native brother, and some of the native children whom they adopted several years ago. This little band is attracting the attention of the natives about them, and the outlook seems to be good for accomplishing something.
The mission has a magic lantern and a few slides on both Old and New Testament subjects. They are greatly in need of slides on the signs of the times and the prophecies. The lantern will draw large numbers of natives, and is a great aid in telling them the 'old, old story.' The views help them to form correct ideas of things mentioned in the Scriptures. We believe that we should use every legitimate means possible to open the way to reach these poor, benighted people; and none are more effective than music and lantern views.
Richard Moko, a native brother, has been traveling about this colony doing the work of a colporteur and holding Bible readings with the people. Many of them are deeply stirred by the truths for this time. Truly the harvest is great, but the laborers are few in this great field. Never was there a time in the history of our work when we were in such great need of consecrated men and women. Our constant prayer is that the Lord of the harvest will place the burden of this work upon his children, and send such into this work as he can use to his glory and for the salvation of souls.
W. S. HYATT.
A Visit to Mexico
By A. G. DANIELLS
At the close of our meetings in Guadalajara we went to Mexico City to attend the general council meeting for the republic. Here we had the pleasure of meeting Prof. G. W. and Sister Caviness, and a number of others whom we had met in that city five years ago. We were glad to find these dear friends enjoying good health, and of good courage in the cause.
Elder G. M. Brown, Dr. W. S. Swayze, and Dr. J. W. Erkenbeck came from Guadalajara, and Dr. U. C. Fattebert from San Luis Potosi, to attend this council; while together, we spent the days in hearing reports from different parts of the republic, studying the needs of the field, and planning for the advancement of the different interests of the work. The evenings were devoted to public meetings in the city.
We were much encouraged by the change that had taken place in our work in Mexico City. When we were there five years ago, there was not one Mexican in that city keeping the Sabbath. We had no place for public meetings, all the services being held in private houses. Now, our brethren have a neat hall for public meetings in the center of the city. They have the exclusive use of this place. They have a congregation of twenty-five or thirty, and the majority, I think, are Mexicans who have accepted the truths we hold, and have been baptized. It was a pleasure to meet these dear friends, and speak to them of our message and its progress. Here, as at Guadalajara, all the services were held in Spanish. Only those who know how great are the difficulties attending Protestant missionary efforts in Mexico can fully appreciate the meaning of what appears to be small and slow progress. From what we have already accomplished in that field we can see clear indications that the Lord will gather from among those people many sheaves for his garner.
Another advance step that has been taken in Mexico City in the last five years has been the establishment of a printing-office. The ground, the building, and the equipment are valued at two thousand dollars, and are mostly the gifts of our brethren in Mexico. This plant is located in Tacubaya, the suburb in which Professor Caviness, Elder Brown, and other American brethren have settled. The city is rapidly extending its best improvements toward Tacubaya. The lot on which the printing house stands is large enough to permit adding to the building as the work grows. This plant is small, but it is a beginning, and as such, it is equal to the beginning of a number of our printing plants that have grown large, and are now doing a great work. From the resolutions adopted at this council it will be seen that immediate steps are to be taken for the development and enlargement of our printing and publishing work in Mexico. After giving the various interests of the work careful study, we adopted the following resolutions and recommendations:—
“1. Resolved, That we hereby express to our Father in heaven our deep gratitude for the blessings he has bestowed upon us during the past year, and for the encouraging outlook before us in this field of many difficulties.
“2. Resolved, That we hereby express to the Drs. Swayze our sincere appreciation of their generous gift of the Medical Mission property on Tequizquite St., Guadalajara; and that we also express our gratitude to the church in Guadalajara for their earnest efforts to prepare and equip the chapel connected with the medical mission.
“3. Resolved, That we accept the institution which these dear friends have provided, without any debt, and well arranged for efficient service, and recommend that a suitable corporation be formed for holding the title of this and other properties that may come to us.
“4. Resolved, That Geo. M. Brown, Dr. W. S. Swayze, and Prof. G. W. Caviness be elected a committee with power to act to form a corporation for holding various properties that may be secured for our work in Mexico.
“5. Resolved, That we renew our request to the Mission Board to send us a good general canvassing agent, and that we urge that he be sent at the earliest date possible.”17
It was also recommended,—
“1. That the General Conference be asked to send to Mexico a printer who has had experience in binding, and who can oversee the binding of board books that may be produced in the field.
“2. That the Pacific Press Publishing Association be asked to hasten forward the cylinder press that they donated to this field.
“3. That the Mexican Mission Committee be authorized to spend one thousand dollars in the purchase of type, a standing press, and other equipment necessary to do board binding, and if the cylinder press from the Pacific Press Publishing Association is not available, that one be secured if possible.
“4. That the General Conference be asked to arrange with the Pacific Press to furnish the Mexican Mission with signatures of such books as can be used to the best advantage in this field.
“5. That the General Conference be asked to send Professor Caviness to California to spend from six to nine months, as may seem best, in working with Brother Forga in the preparation of evangelical and health and temperance literature in Spanish.
“6. That the General Conference be asked to place two evangelical workers of experience and five colporteurs in this mission field as soon as possible.
“7. That the republic be divided into five districts, as follows: Southern, composed of the States of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan, and the southern part of Vera Cruz; Central, embracing the Federal District, States of Mexico, Morelos, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Guerrero, and northern Vera Cruz; Western, made up of the States of Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, Guanajuato, and the Territory of Tepic; Eastern, including the States of San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Aguascalientes, and Zacatecas; Northern, composed of the States of Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Durango, and Chihuahua; Northwestern, made up of the States of Sonora and Sinaloa and the Territory of Lower California.
“8. That Geo. M. Brown, G. W. Caviness, W. S. Swayze, U. C. Fattebert, and A. Cooper be a committee on plans for a training-school for workers, and that they make thorough investigation as to what can be done toward securing a farm in the vicinity of Mexico City, and also develop plans and estimates as to what can be done to establish a school in Tacubaya.
“9. That the General Conference be requested to solicit such books and periodicals from other publishing houses as may be useful in building up an editorial library at the Mexican Publishing House.”
At the close of this council we went to San Luis Potosi, to spend Sabbath and Sunday. Brother Julius Paulson and wife have been living in this city seven or eight years. When I visited them five years ago, they were the only Sabbath-keepers there. Now there are twenty or thirty Mexicans in the city and surrounding country keeping the Sabbath. Brother Godinez, a native laborer, has been working here for a year or so.
Dr. Fattebert has opened an office for medical practise in this city. He and Sister Fattebert take a deep interest in missionary affairs in Mexico. Although the doctor is engaged in self-supporting work, he takes an active part in evangelistic missionary work, doing all he can to advance the general interest of the cause. The same is true of other brethren and sisters who have gone from the States to Mexico. Many of our brethren could do splendid work for the Master and for the people in these mission fields by settling among them and working for them while engaged in their regular vocations.
We were very sorry to find Brother and Sister Brown in poor health. We left him confined to his bed in San Luis Potosi, and we regret to report that he has not recovered as he should. Owing to their worn and feeble condition, the General Conference Committee has advised them to leave the field for a time. They will go to North Carolina, with the hope of making a full recovery.
I most sincerely hope the advance steps recommended in the foregoing resolutions can be taken at once, and thus hasten the work in that needy field. To this end, and for the prosperity of the cause in Mexico, let all earnestly pray.
A. G. DANIELLS.
Fifth Annual Session of the Prussian Conference
By GUY DAIL
THE fifty-seven delegates that represented the seven hundred thirty-nine members of this field have just finished the best meeting our people have held, having been in session from January 29 to February 2, at Dantsic. One of the remarkable things about this conference is that it has harmoniously and expeditiously conducted its business in the old Lutheran church building of the City Orphanage, which was first opened to public worship in 1704, and, having been rented and renovated by the Dantsic church of Seventh-day Adventists last November, largely through the kind offices of a friend of our people, it was rededicated after Elder Conradi's return from Russia. As might be supposed, the clergy began to speak and to write about the desecration of this orthodox property at the hands of this “sect.” But the more stir they made, the more publicity they gave to the work of God for these days. We see in all these little things evidences of what can happen as soon as the church is ready to be brought to the attention of the world.
A VIEW IN LEIPSIC
Dantsic itself is an old city, being first mentioned in the latter part of the tenth century. It contains 165,000 inhabitants, and is the capital of West Prussia, one of the two provinces in the territory of the Prussian Conference. (East Prussia is the other province, and the field has a population of over 3,670,000.) Belonging to the Hanseatic League, Dantsic was one of the most important commercial cities of the Middle Ages; and to-day it, alone, of all the larger North German towns, is a rival of Lübeck in the preservation of its medieval characteristics. Many of its streets have a very antiquated appearance, with their “narrow, lofty, and richly decorated gable facades; . . . although a peculiarity of Dantsic, the Beischläge, or raised landings with open-air seats, are gradually being removed, as interfering with modern traffic.”
Throughout the meeting, God's Spirit was felt, and the word was presented with power by his servants. The visiting brethren, L. R. Conradi, J. Erzberger, J. H. Schilling, and A. W. Petersohn, were blessed in their efforts to help the people. About one hundred fifty of our own brethren were in attendance, and as many strangers were out to the lectures.
One of the most encouraging features of the work in this conference is the growth of the canvassing department. The sales for 1907 amounted to 22,828 marks, against 13,797 marks in 1906, and 17,151 marks in 1905. There has been very little increase in the number of colporteurs since 1906; but they have put forth more earnest efforts, which have been blessed of God. Last year seventy-five persons were baptized, and thirteen were received by vote; but the net increase has not been large for 1907, and there has been a falling off in their tithe and weekly offerings, but an increase in the Sabbath-school and annual gifts. The tithe for 1907 was 18,734 marks, or 25.35 marks per capita, against 30.26 marks a member in 1906. In 1906 many tithed their capital, and that helped to swell the income of the German fields very materially. Five were baptized, and a splendid revival service was held. Sabbath was a good day. Brother J. Christoffers was ordained to the ministry, and there are now three ministers, four licentiates, and three Bible workers engaged in proclaiming the glad tidings for our day in the Prussian Conference. They are assisted by about twenty-five canvassers.
We would not take space to refer to all the resolutions considered at this meeting. In view of the increase in opposition we have to overcome, it was recommended here, as in the other German Conferences this winter, that our people take special pains to provide themselves with our standard denominational works, as the “History of the Sabbath,” “Rise and Progress,” “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “Great Controversy,” “Testimonies,” etc., and that these books should be lacking in none of the church libraries. Not only ought they to be accessible, but they should be carefully studied by all our people; and much stress was laid on the importance of this study. We know that many give up the truth because they are not firmly18established in it, and so when some new doctrine comes along, they are carried away by it.
Elder E. Enseleit was unanimously chosen president for the coming year. The brethren and the workers leave here with much more courage to press the battle to the front, than they have ever had before. They realize that time is short, and that we must work while it is day. To this end, they wish God's people to pray for their success the coming year.
GUY DAIL.
France
By H. H. DEXTER
In south central France, in the departments of Ardèche and Haute-Loire is a vast elevated plateau four thousand feet above sea-level. It was to these mountains and table-lands that thousands of the Huguenots fled for refuge at the time of the revocation of the edict of Nantes. This edict was proclaimed by Henri IV, king of France, assuring liberty of conscience to the persecuted Huguenots. This freedom was enjoyed more or less till the time of Louis XIV, in 1685, when the king yielded to the clamoring of the Catholic clergy to rid the nation of the despised heretics. Thousands of the best families of France sought shelter in Holland and Switzerland, and those who had the means went to England, and even to America. The poorer families were obliged to flee for safety to the mountains. Since the French Revolution, in 1799, this poor, wasted people has enjoyed their rights to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences.
Last fall two of our colporteurs sold quantities of our small tracts in the Protestant towns and villages of this mountainous region, thus preparing the way for the living messenger.
January 12 I left Nîmes, accompanied by a young brother, a Bible worker, to visit this Protestant section, with the view to introducing our message. Owing to the altitude, the winters here are long and cold, and often the trains are blocked by snow for two or three weeks at a time; however, knowing that the people have more time at this season to devote to attending meetings and reading than in summer, we were willing to endure a little discomfort.
For two weeks after our arrival the Lord favored us with excellent weather, with no snow. From the railroad station we walked six kilometers to Mazet St. Voy, a popular summer resort for Protestants. As this place is a center to which hundreds of the inhabitants of the neighboring villages come for supplies, as well as to attend the Sunday services at one of the largest Protestant temples in France, we thought it would be well for us to rent a hall here for public meetings; but finding rents rather high, we decided simply to rent a room for lodging, and then devote our energies to visiting Protestant villages and holding cottage meetings wherever the Lord opened the way.
At the first village we introduced ourselves as missionaries, to one of the best families, who received us very kindly. When we proposed to read a few verses from the Scriptures, the housewife asked us to wait until she had sent her son to invite some of the neighbors. In a few minutes we had an audience of twenty adults. After the Bible study we left an appointment for an evening meeting, which was attended by about seventy persons, who listened with rapt interest to the explanation of the signs of the coming of our Lord. An elderly man, who assured us that the study had done him much good, told us of another village where the people are very pious and would be glad to hear us explain the Scriptures. The next day we went to this village, arriving late in the afternoon. We soon found a family who was willing to give us the use of their spacious kitchen for a meeting. We asked the village school-teacher to announce our meeting to his scholars. At seven o’clock about one hundred persons crowded into this kind woman’s kitchen, and found seats upon rough boards placed on cases or chairs. After the meeting we sold a large number of small tracts on the coming of the Lord. One woman with her face all aglow after hearing a simple exposition of Daniel 2, asked us if we couldn’t come to her village to hold a few meetings at her house. In two weeks we visited, gave readings, and held meetings in five villages.
The ministers soon heard of our work, and fearing we would spoil their pastures, began to warn the flock, saying that we were setters forth of strange and dangerous doctrines; but the people knew better, for they had heard us pray and explain the Scriptures, and they had read our tracts. One old gentleman told us that when his minister sought to influence him against us, he told him that he was like the blind man whose eyes Jesus opened,—he didn’t know whether those men were false and dangerous teachers or not, but one thing he did know, they taught the way of God according to the Holy Scriptures.
I was very glad to form the acquaintance of an Australian woman, the wife of a Frenchman who spent forty years in Australia, but who recently returned to France with his English-speaking wife, a son, and a daughter. The wife is somewhat homesick and lonely, not being able to speak the French. She was delighted to meet some one who spoke her native tongue. Although I knew that she and her family were of the Catholic persuasion, I asked whether she had an English Bible, and to my glad surprise she handed me a Protestant English Bible, from which I read and explained many scriptures relating to the blessed hope and the soon coming of Christ. This is the first Bible study I have given in English since coming to France. We were as messengers of light to this house, and the lady expressed her gratitude for our visit and study, and heartily invited us to call again.
Surely in these mountain villages the Lord has many sterling hearts that are prepared to embrace his message for these last days. H. H. DEXTER.
Nîmes.
Japan
By F. W. FIELD
TOKYO.—Another year has closed on the work in this field; and a backward glance shows advance steps taken, and some encouraging results of the efforts put forth. The baptisms for the year number thirty-two. About half of these are in a new locality, where the truth seems to be making good progress. Among those who have accepted the truth during the year, three give good promise of developing into useful laborers. These with several others are now in Tokyo, receiving such instruction in the truth and training for the work as we are able to give them. Brother Okohira conducts daily classes each forenoon. The afternoons are devoted to work, for all are dependent upon their own efforts in meeting their expenses.
Here in Tokyo we had our week-of-prayer services from December 21 to 28, one week late, on account of the readings not reaching us earlier. There was a good and regular attendance on the part of the believers, averaging a little less19than twenty. In the prayer service on the first day of the meeting, prayers were offered in Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and English. The spirit of love and unity was present, and united our hearts as one. On the last day of the season the usual offering was made for mission work; and while the amount was not large,—less than twenty-five dollars, in all,—they gave what they could. Times are hard in Japan now, the cost of living having increased faster than the price of labor, so that there is much distress among people of small means.
The present year promises to be a close one financially; but in spite of this, we are planning to make it an aggressive one in our work. And we expect to see some decided advance moves in our medical work, and in providing a training-school for workers. We have nothing definite to report as yet; but we ask for the continued prayers and sympathetic interest of our people in the home land, that we may have wisdom to plan, and means with which to execute.
F. W. FIELD.
Openings in the Southland
By J. A. Oppy
THE Testimonies of the Spirit of God have told us that now is the time to work the Southern field, and that families should move to the South, to teach the truth among the people, and win them for Christ. An unusually good opportunity now presents itself to do this in the Indian Territory part of the new State of Oklahoma. Land is cheap—from five to ten dollars an acre. The soil is very rich. The climate is unsurpassed. Soft water can be had at a depth of twenty-five to thirty-five feet. Many beautiful flowing springs of soft water gush from the hillsides.
This vast field is to be worked for the Master. There is but little if any prejudice, and I believe the people are willing to listen to the last message. Who will come and help us? For particulars, address the writer at R. F. D. 1, Siloam Springs, Ark. J. A. OPPY.
North Carolina Invites You
By H. B. Tilden
THE invitation to come and help us keeps on sounding, and just now is the time help is needed. We believe that the time for our Lord's return is very near. But before that event occurs, there are thousands of people in North Carolina who must be given the warning message.
Do we know, or, knowing do we realize the value of the time in which we live? Are we awake to the signs that are thickening around us, definitely locating the season? To-day God is speaking to us through the disturbance of the atmospheric heavens, through the perplexities of the financial world, and through his Spirit, for our undivided service. What shall we say? What are we going to do? Brethren, do we know that spring-time is upon us, and that we have, as it were, only a few months to sow seed? Should we not consider the opportunity of planting seeds of truth in the hearts of men a privilege worth grasping?
We have a field in North Carolina that is fertile. The truth-filled literature which God has caused his servants to write is abundant. The great majority of the inhabitants of this State have never seen a page of this literature. Brethren, what does the Lord say to you regarding the needs of this field? Have you not felt impressed to join us in carrying truth-filled books to the people? Would you not like to know something about the possibilities of this field? If so, write me at 276 Boulevard St., Winston-Salem, N. C.
H. B. TILDEN, State Agent.
Meeting at Richmond
By G. B. Thompson
MARCH 5-8 I attended a meeting of church officers at Richmond, Va. Although the attendance was not large, the meeting, we believe, was one of much profit. As we studied concerning the responsible position which each officer occupies in the church, all were led to see more clearly than before the high trust given them of the Lord.
I believe that no more helpful thing could be done for the advancement of our work and the special uplifting of our churches than to gather the officers and instruct them more fully concerning the work which they can do in building up the cause in general. If officers in our churches would give the personal attention to the gathering in of the tithe which they should, laboring with delinquent members who are robbing the Lord, the tithe in our churches would be doubled. The same is true of our missionary offerings. If the officers in every church will faithfully call attention to the matter each Sabbath, and pass the envelopes provided for the purpose, there will be no difficulty in gathering in a sum equal to ten cents a week a member for the support of our work in the “regions beyond.”
I was glad to visit the historic city of Richmond. It is a fine city of over one hundred thousand inhabitants, and contains a large percentage of colored people. The truth has a substantial foothold in the city. A nice church for the congregation of white people has been recently built at a cost of about four thousand dollars, and is nearly free from debt. We were glad to meet a good congregation here on the Sabbath. The Lord blessed in the services, and some who had given up the truth took hold again. Two were baptized.
In the afternoon I spoke to the colored brethren on the opposite side of the city. The Lord blessed in this service also. Some excellent colored people have embraced the truth here.
I greatly enjoyed the warm-hearted hospitality extended during this meeting. Among the visiting brethren who assisted in the meeting were Elder H. W. Herrell, the president of the conference. Brother George Stevens and Brother B. L. House, of Washington, who expects soon to take up work in this conference. Virginia has an excellent class of people, and with the addition of some new workers, and with aggressive work put forth in new fields, I see no reason why this conference may not soon develop great strength. With a little help in different ways I believe this will be done. G. B. THOMPSON.
India
By W. W. Miller
Lucknow.—Three weeks ago I removed to Lucknow, having been released from my former burdens in the work, and left free to do real missionary work. This is headquarters for the Methodists. They have one hundred twenty-five native young men in their school. I met one of them yesterday, a very intelligent man, who said he was preparing for the ministry.
I have made the slight acquaintance of about eighty families. All seem quite friendly, and anxious to get the Family Bible Teacher and Signs of the Times leaflets. I have found some who have our books, and are interested in what they teach. One man had loaned “Daniel and Revelation” to several of his friends. A man seventy-four years old told me that the time of Christ’s coming was drawing near. I asked him what made him think so, and he then related many of the signs which have taken place. My servant, a native who has been with me three years, has begun to keep the Sabbath since coming here, and is selling and giving away Hindi tracts. He seems very much in earnest. He also interprets for me as best he can.
The other day I was surprised to meet a man who said that he was very much interested in the twenty-three-hundred-day prophecy, and had been studying it for some time. He was a native preacher, speaks English well, and has read “Here and Hereafter.”
This message has sounded much farther than we have any idea. Yesterday I was visiting a native man who is sick. Two other natives were present. One of them did not seem to be much interested in what I was talking about, but when I started away, he followed me out, and invited me to his house. I went, and found his wife well educated in English. He said that if I would come and talk to a company of people in his house, his wife would interpret for me.
I went to a house yesterday, but did not see any way whereby I could approach the people; yet I felt that I must, and so stood still for a while. Finally a little boy came out, and through him I reached two families. It pays to stand still sometimes, and see the Lord open the way.
Many more experiences I might relate, but these will suffice to show that the work is opening in Lucknow. But what is one missionary in the fourth city in India? This city just swarms with natives. I never felt so deeply in all my life that the people are responsible if they will not hear, and that I am responsible if I do not give them an opportunity. This thought strengthens me to go forward, no matter what the opposition may be.
Mrs. Miller is getting the language so she can do medical work among the natives. I have been in India over three years now, and I like it better all the time. The Lord has kept us in health and good courage, and we feel very thankful to him.
W. W. MILLER.
Field Notes and Gleanings
A CHURCH building costing nearly $1,000 was dedicated at Cottage Grove, Ore., February 16. Brother B. C. Tabor has been laboring there since July 1, 1907.
FROM Cleveland, Ohio, Brother G. P. Gaede writes: “We are enjoying the work in Cleveland. Our parents are here helping us pull in the gospel net. Six more souls in the German department have lately taken their stand for the truth. One family, for whom we have labored just one year, have finally decided to obey. Praise the Lord. He has work for every Seventh-day Adventist. The Lord is good. Others are deeply interested.”
“BRETHREN Meade MacGuire and H. B. Steele have been holding meetings in Kansas City, Mo., for ten days, with good results. At the close of the last Sabbath discourse by Elder MacGuire, twenty-four gave their hearts to the Lord. Twenty-one of these who are just starting in Christian service, will be baptized and join the church. The greater part of this number are young people who have grown up in the church and Sabbath-school. At the close of the Sunday evening service two others took their stand for God. The meetings will continue indefinitely.”
FROM Michigan, Brother John E. Hanson writes: “In Grand Rapids I found a wide-awake, Christian company of men and women. Elder J. M. Wilbur and myself have greatly appreciated the hearty co-operation of this church. Eleven active, tithe-paying members have been added; five of them by baptism. We feel confident that there are still others who will be identified with us soon. There is a good, live Sabbath-school, and considerable interest has been awakened in the study of the Testimonies. The Young People’s Society is also at work, there being a good attendance at the meetings.”
BROTHER G. F. WATSON writes: “Sabbath, February 15, was a good day for the church at Longmont, Colo. Elder M. D. Warfle was sent there some time ago, and before his meetings should have been closed, he broke down, and has been confined to his bed ever since, with the exception of a few hours at a time. But as a result, eleven dear souls were baptized—six adults and five children. We were much pleased when we found such a goodly company ready to follow their Lord into the watery grave. Twelve will unite with the church there. The Longmont church is in a prosperous condition in every way, and we are sure that the blessing of the Lord has been attending the efforts put forth. We were made sad to think that Elder Warfle could not carry on the good work begun, but the Lord knows best. We are glad to say that Elder Warfle is improving.”
